EA has announced the launch of EA SPORTS Season Ticket, an all-new program that provides premium benefits for a better gaming experience on five participating EA SPORTS titles. With an annual fee of $24.99 or 2000 Microsoft Points, subscribers will receive four all-new program benefits: access to play all participating EA SPORTS games via a full-game digital download three days before consumers have the option to purchase a disc at retail launch; a 20-percent discount on downloadable game content; free premium web content; and membership recognition. I don’t know if $25 is the right price point for something like this, I mean for it to be worth it you would need play at least 3 out of the 4 titles to me. For me personally, the 3 days of early access would be compelling but since I really only play Madden and NCAA Football which come out toward the end of the year, I have a large portion of the year where I wouldn’t be getting any value out of it. The discounts on DLC are good but only if you buy that kind of content.

With a paid subscription to EA SPORTS Season Ticket, fans will receive the following benefits for the five participating titles:

Early Full-Game Digital Access: Three days before a game’s scheduled release, fans will be able to download and play the full version of all five participating titles on Xbox 360 and PS3. The digitally downloaded game will time out when the game is available at retail and consumers have the option to purchase the same full game on disc at retail. EA SPORTS Season Ticket subscribers can transfer all achievements earned during the three-day download period to the purchased disc, resulting in an early edge over the competition.

Discounted Downloadable Content: Subscribers will get a 20-percent discount on all available downloadable content for participating EA SPORTS titles. Downloadable content, which enhances and refreshes the core game experience, includes such items as Ultimate Team packs, accelerator packs and gear upgrades.

Free Premium Web Content: Premium web content extends the game experience beyond the console to a web browser. All participating titles will feature premium web content that will be free to EA SPORTS Season Ticket members beginning with the premium Creation Center packs for FIFA Soccer 12. These packs provide a deeper set of customization tools and abilities within Creation Center to build your own teams and tournaments, and will be available to the consumer until the membership to the program has expired.

Membership Recognition: Subscribers are easily identifiable with an exclusive membership recognition badge displayed both in-game and on their EASPORTS.com profile.

To subscribe to EA SPORTS Season Ticket for the Xbox 360, go to the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, download and launch the EA SPORTS application, and follow the prompts after “purchase a subscription”. For PS3™ users, go to the PlayStation Store, search for EA SPORTS Season Ticket and purchase the program. EA SPORTS Season Ticket is available on PS3™ and Xbox 360 in North America, and Xbox 360 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, assets and videos, please visit www.easports.com/seasonticket.

I am the Co-Ceo of DLT Digital Media. We are a company that is focused on developing new and innovative web properties in addition to developing WordPress based web sites for others. But before I was all that, I was a gamer.